Where do I start???

[rlandnl]

I have a 6.5 year old son. He is currently in First grade in a public school. He has the higlest reading level of anyone in his class, possibly all of first grade as that's how it was when he left kindy (he was reading end of 2nd grade beginning of 3rd grade level), he has learned *most* of the math concepts that they teach in 1st grade as well. They are *watching* him for the gifted/talented program that starts in 2nd grade.

HOWEVER and it's a big however, he has been diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, Generalized Anxiety, Sensory Processing Disorder and now the OT wants to add Apraxia to the list.

Because of his "issues" school is challenging for him. We are at the point in the past couple weeks where he doesn't want to be at school. He comes home "sick" or doesn't go to school at all. He is fairly convincing in his being "Sick" in the morning, and on the days that he comes home he gets sent to the office 3 or 4 times before they finally call me. He's not sick, at least most of the time he isn't.

In addition to that, we are having a battle with the school about providing him services, I have gone out of the school and gotten private OT, private counseling, a private social skills group.

He does have a couple "friends" and we try to enroll him in lots of activities- 4-H, the local rec sports programs, etc.

I am strongly thinking about homeschooling at this point. I have NOT made up my mind but I am looking into my options. He is so smart, and he wants to learn and i am really worried that the stress is going to change that. He gets mad at me for sending him to school and actually asked to homeschool.

But I have no idea where to start. I know if I decide to do this i have to file a paper with the state, but after that I have no idea. Where do I look for a curriculum? Money is definitely a consideration we can't afford buy an expensive curriculum. I definitely am the type who needs some sort of guideline, and i don't think unschooling would work for us as he needs structure. Also religious curriculum is not for us.

Any insight would be very helpful.

[Lillian J]

Originally Posted by rlandnl

But I have no idea where to start. I know if I decide to do this i have to file a paper with the state, but after that I have no idea. Where do I look for a curriculum? Money is definitely a consideration we can't afford buy an expensive curriculum. I definitely am the type who needs some sort of guideline, and i don't think unschooling would work for us as he needs structure. Also religious curriculum is not for us.

Any insight would be very helpful.

It needn't cost much money.

First find out what the legalities are in your area. The NHEN link in this post is dead, but the other two have good lists of the laws in regard to homeschooling.

Here's a post with some book suggestions for this stage of the game.

Here's a good resource from Home Education Magazine on Getting Started. Also take a look at their page on Taking a Closer Look at: Deschooling - over on the right of the page is a long list of good articles other subjects they've covered, such as math.

Here's a good MDC thread on basic questions - Homeschooling, can we talk? And you can do a Search in this forum or the unschooling subforum for any specific subject you'd like to hear more about - you'll find things like this Great historical fiction for kids thread, for instance, or on math games or other educational games, free audio resources, or whatever! My favorite place to look for materials is the FUN-Books website - it's an assortment of good materials that have been chosen by their homeschooling family as things that will be most likely to support a lifelong enthusiasm for learning as compared to methods of trying to pour in facts.

You can do it, and it can work quite well for a child who's had difficulties operating within the system - it's made all the difference in the lives of lots of such children! Lillian

[rlandnl]

Thank you Lillian I will look into all that. At this I am thinking that i might do a trial run over christmas vacation to see how it would work out as far as cooperation goes, that's the part i am most concerned about. I had always wanted to homeschool my child(ren) but from the time he was three he wanted to go to school. Now, his ideas have changed. We have been battling the school for months and I am already tired, I don't know how people do it for years.

Thanks again I will be looking over all of that.

[Lillian J]

Originally Posted by rlandnl

Thank you Lillian I will look into all that. At this I am thinking that i might do a trial run over christmas vacation to see how it would work out as far as cooperation goes, that's the part i am most concerned about.

I realize that seems like a perfectly reasonable idea, but I would really not do a trial run over any vacation - especially not over such a short one, and not even over the longer summer one. I've seen a lot of people try that over the years and it just doesn't tend to work - it backfires.

You'd have a lot going against you. One serious obstacle is that it's vacation time - it's something he's looked forward to, rightly so, for a time when he can get back to relaxing and just being himself without the demands of others pulling his strings and making demands on him. Another serious obstacle is that any parent just starting out is going to have a very different idea about how homeschooling is going to work than what she'll eventually arrive at - so you're running a trial with very different input than what is going to apply to the real thing. Another is that you're more likely than not at this stage to behave in a way that can put your child off - you may even suddenly come across as a "teacher" or taskmaster rather than his same mom and supportive facilitator who will be able to work with him in a way that suits his own unique personality rather than that of a "student" in general.

It's very unlikely in a trial run that you'll see the kind of "cooperation" you're hoping for - and that's perfectly healthy and normal on his part. The worry over cooperation is something that's stopped a lot of parents from homeschooling - because they've been through so much struggle already over homework and assignments! Helping a child with all that can be a nightmare, but it's really different once you've both had a chance to get away from those particular sorts of school demands. That was actually one of my own concerns before we started - but it quickly became clear that we were entering a whole other world of experiences.

I'd really encourage you to use that Christmas vacation as an especially cozy time to just bond closer than ever and help him feel good about himself as a unique individual. I'm not implying you haven't done either of those things already - it's just that vacation time provides so much more of an opportunity to be able to support his individuality without all the outside demands and distractions. Here's a thread on decompression/deschooling - you'll definitely need to be thinking along those lines even after you've begun homeschooling.

Lillian

[Savoir Faire]

First things first, Lillian knows her stuff.

I can totally see why you'd want to homeschool! Your son sounds incredibly bright. So first, before you do anything, find out the rules of the rules of your state. That way, you'll know what you'll need to know.

Second, I agree about the deschooling, especially if he's been having troubles socially/not wanting to go for awhile.

Most of us homeschoolers definitely have to soul search a bit-- as in, WHAT do I want out of this? I'm constantly asking myself this very question all the freaking time. What do you want-- what do you want for your son?

Then...start reading. Read message boards, blogs, books...you name it. See what is out there for you.

Take it one step at a time. Baby steps will help you figure out this big world of homeschooling-- and feel free to ask questions here, as well.

[amis2girls]

Originally Posted by rlandnl

Where do I look for a curriculum? Money is definitely a consideration we can't afford buy an expensive curriculum. I definitely am the type who needs some sort of guideline, and i don't think unschooling would work for us as he needs structure.

This is what I said when we started. Turns out she was so turned off with school that she wants nothing to do with sitdown lessons and textbooks. It just doesn't work. She wants to learn her way.

Thought I'd throw that wrench in the mix.

[DaughterOfKali]

My son is 6 and wasn't doing well in 1st grade. He, too, is 'advanced' academically but is on the autism spectrum and has sensory issues. He also has an Immune Deficiency which caused him to get sick ALL THE TIME. (Even his doc suggested homeschooling to limit exposure to constant viruses.)

I took him out of school near Halloween. I did try deschooling him but due to him being on the spectrum, he responds better to a 'work' schedule. I have a chart set up with the schedule for the day. (dry erase board works well).

When I was first considering homeschooling, I joined local online homeschooling groups (google for them.) I asked about the state law and if anyone had experience hs'ing in my town.

Then, I called the town's Director of Student Services to find out what I needed to do before taking my son out of school. She emailed me the requirements and also mailed me a hard copy.

Then, I typed out my letter of intent combined with my educational plan (which I got the outline from a local homeschool organization.) I just added in my own personal info and any extra things I would be teaching my son this school year.

I had delivered it and they stamped all paperwork with the date and their school 'logo'. She also signed it. She took copies and gave me a copy of the one she had stamped/signed (to prove that I had submitted it.)
She said I could then take my son out whenever I wanted to.

Feel free to pm me if you have any questions.

[rlandnl]

Originally Posted by DaughterOfKali

My son is 6 and wasn't doing well in 1st grade. He, too, is 'advanced' academically but is on the autism spectrum and has sensory issues. He also has an Immune Deficiency which caused him to get sick ALL THE TIME. (Even his doc suggested homeschooling to limit exposure to constant viruses.)

I took him out of school near Halloween. I did try deschooling him but due to him being on the spectrum, he responds better to a 'work' schedule. I have a chart set up with the schedule for the day. (dry erase board works well).

When I was first considering homeschooling, I joined local online homeschooling groups (google for them.) I asked about the state law and if anyone had experience hs'ing in my town.

Then, I called the town's Director of Student Services to find out what I needed to do before taking my son out of school. She emailed me the requirements and also mailed me a hard copy.

Then, I typed out my letter of intent combined with my educational plan (which I got the outline from a local homeschool organization.) I just added in my own personal info and any extra things I would be teaching my son this school year.

I had delivered it and they stamped all paperwork with the date and their school 'logo'. She also signed it. She took copies and gave me a copy of the one she had stamped/signed (to prove that I had submitted it.)
She said I could then take my son out whenever I wanted to.

Feel free to pm me if you have any questions.

Thank you! I am doing tons of research right now i don't want to make a rash decision ....that's exactly what I am worried about the deschooling with him since he needs the structure being on the spectrum. Where in New england are you? I am in Maine.